Page 162 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

A rare silence follows from her. Unlike the Dylan of old, I use the opportunity to continue.

“We’ve agreed between us that for that reason, the marriage can’t go ahead.”

Da nods. “And will she speak to her parents, son? As you know, it has to be her choice to walk away from this arrangement. It can’t be seen that it’s you who rejected her.”

I nod. “She’s speaking to her parents. We’ve both agreed to do so this evening, which is why I’ve asked you all here.”

Ma shuffles on her seat. I can tell she’s just about to find her second wind.

“Well, your da and I had drawn up a list, and many of the other choices were just as promising. Maybe even more so. We settled on Grace in the end because her parents were friends with your Uncle…”

“I will marry Jessie O’Brien,” I interrupt my ma.

She glares at me. No doubt surprised her obedient little Dylan has finally grown a set.

“You will do no such thing! Fergal?” She looks at my da for backup. I repeat what I’ve said before he can add in his two cents worth.

“I said, I will marry Jessie O’Brien. That’s if she will even have me.”

There’s a pause.

“Fergal?” Ma prompts him again. But he’s staring at me now and I’m staring back.

Another silence. I’m sure I can hear his head whirring this time, though. Good sign or not? I guess I’m about to find out.

“Do you really love her, Dylan? Do you love Jessie?”

There’s no hesitation with my response. “I do, Da. More than anything. But feelings aside, Jessie also makes me a better person. A stronger Duster. You must be able to see that. If I can’t have her, I will accept no other.”

What seems like an endless silence follows.

“Despite her being one of the most irritating people I have ever met in my life, her experience and work ethic is second to none. On that basis, I would be happy to welcome Jessie O’Brien into our family.” Eoin breaks the silence, and for once, I’m grateful to hear the sound of his self-obsessed voice. I nod my thanks.

“From a business point of view, it makes obvious sense. Given how she handled the IRS matter, she would be an asset to have onboard permanently. Plus, Sarah thinks the world of her.” I smile my thanks at Cillian.

“They’re soul mates. They should never have been separated in the first place. Like Jaine and me should never have been separated.” Paddy’s slouched on the sectional. Since losing Jaine from his life completely, my baby brother is slowly falling apart.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Padraig.”

At not getting her own way, Ma’s obviously decided to lash out. “Excuse my vulgarity, but you were fucking most of the females in Manhattan when the arranged marriage was agreed. No one knew about your dirty biker secret. About this Jaine Jones woman.”

“I never mentioned her because we were just friends. I didn’t know she was in love with me,” Paddy bites back.

“And does she love you still? I would say not. She’s a biker. She married one of her own. Their kind always chose each other in the end.”

“Sarah didn’t,” Cillian quips.

“She was pregnant. Her bed was made.”

“Sarah loves me,” Cill argues.

“I’m not saying she doesn’t, but her choices were limited once she was carrying a Duster in her belly. In fact, they were removed completely.”

“ENOUGH!” Everyone is stunned into silence as my da raises his voice. No one dares speak. We all wait for him to continue.

“Paddy.” Da runs his hands through his white hair in frustration. “We’ve been through this a hundred times now, son. It needs to stop. It’s not helping anyone to keep dissecting it over and over. It won’t change anything. Your marriage is a blood-written oath, and I also gave my word. If it doesn’t go ahead, it will result in war. Now, your ma’s right. You were working your way through all the single women in Manhattan for the umpteenth time, and most of the married ones too. And you showed no signs of ever stopping. It’s like you were searching for the female equivalent of the Holy Grail.

“Sophia was deemed by us all, your eldest brother included, to be a good match for you. It was done to unite us with the Sicilian mafia. Making them lifetime allies rather than potential future foes. No one knew of your feelings for Jaine Jones when it was all agreed. I appreciate things changed for you both when the Bratva held you captive, son. That things came to light and evolved between you and her. But we weren’t to know. We weren’t even aware she existed. Not even our Dylan knew.”

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